§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he has issued instructions or advice to purchasing departments not to purchase abroad when prices are not more than 20 per cent. lower than in Great Britain; to what extent this conflicts with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; whether this is in accord with the Government's policy of entering the Common Market in view of the Rome Treaty's ban on such methods of trading; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DiamondNo such instructions or advice have been issued. Departments already take care to ensure that consideration is always given to British goods, and they buy these goods when they are competitive with, and as suitable as, foreign products.